A Quiet Walk through the Grass

Philo decides to go north, to the King, for he had the feeling that it was with the King's forces that the decisive battle would be fought. "I would gladly go north with my countryman, but how are we going to make it before the forces of the accursed Anna are upon them?"

George raised his eyebrows, and replied, "I think that you overestimate them. This is an unfamiliar land, and they will either be burdened with waggons to supply themselves food and shelter, or they will rely upon foraging off the land. Either way, they must slow down. And we trackers know many hidden ways, and have many resources. But keeping up with a tracker is not easy! You may find that staying in the Blacklands is easier."

"I wish to see my king, if I am given a choice."

Stephano nodded, and filled a number of light skins with water from the pool. Philo followed his lead and followed him wordlessly out toward the entrance of the cave.

The CRUNCH * CRUNCH * CRUNCH * CRUNCH of their boots on the rocky hill was the only sound that Philo heard for the next few hours. Stephano had said little, and Philo, after a few awkward tries at starting a conversation, said nothing. Philo was alone with his thoughts as he stared at the bleak, black landscape, his clothes becoming waterlogged with sweat. Fortunately, both he and Philo were able to carry plenty of water in some large waterskins that Stephano carried with him, or he might have dropped to the ground through heatstroke. The sun was low on the horizon when he first saw the grassy plains, but Stephano showed no signs of stopping.

A moon a few days short of being full loomed over the horizon, and the evening star was shining, when the last of the crunchy rock had been passed. Instead, Philo heard only the CHIP CHIP CHIP CHIP sound of the Galese Locusts, and, in the background, the *rustle* *rustle* *WHEW* *rustle* *rustle* of footsteps, punctuated by his gasping for air. Stephano had picked up the pace into a steady trot. Philo stumbled several times, as he ran into invisible rocks, molehills, and brambles. If he were alone, he would have rested somewhere back in the Blacklands, but he felt obligated to keep up, and would ask for no rest.

The moon had almost reached the horizon when Stephano stopped to sip some water from his canteen. Philo had many questions to ask - like where and when was he going to get some sleep? But he did not dare ask. He did venture to ask, in a whisper, "How long will it be before we reach the King?"

Stephano answered, casually, "Three days, maybe four." He peered into the darkness, as if looking for something, and then resumed the trot.

*rustle* *rustle* *wheeze* *rustle* *rustle* *rustle*

Philo had pushed his body farther than he had thought it would go, and focussed his eyes on the back of Stephano's tunic. He had one purpose in life now, and that was not to lose sight of the tunic. Did the trackers ever sleep? He was beginning to have his doubts. He was moving, but felt as if he were staying in one place. The grass and the locusts were a constant. The progress of the moon and the stars across the sky was the only way that he knew that time passing.

A purple glow in the east appeared, a sign of twilight approaching in a few hours. Philo thought that he saw a valley, or a depression in the grass. A hundred paces later, he could see a small cottage, and some heads of red cattle. Soon they were on the threshhold of the cottage. Stephano boldly knocked on the door. A minute later, a short, stocky man appeared, dressed in a dusty greyish gown.

"The wrens have been scattered," Stephano said.

"The drought has been bad," replied the man. "Do you need any water?"

"We filled up at the spring. The ravens should know about this."

"As well as the cardinals. Come in, my friends. You are two of the King's Men. How can I help?"

Philo was looking forward to some sleep. Stephano put an end to these hopes when he replied, "We will not be staying long - I have to reach the main road before sunrise. The news is harsh. Anna is coming at us with everything she has; she crossed the border last night. The resistance was ineffective. You know what to do."

"My kinsmen will be notified. What is the watchword, so that I may know your messenger when he comes next?"

"Mockingbird."

"We will be ready, to burn, hoard, sabatogue, or fight, as the King demands. Hail, Theodoric!"

"And hail Gala, and all that she stands for. It looks grim, but nobody see this as hopeless. Time is a fickle ally. It is on the side of Anna now. If she does not crush us within a month, time should be on our side, as the powers greater than Anna get involved. The Great Battle may be before the winter."

Philo was very tired, and did not see how he could keep up with Stephano for another half day. He did have pride, though, and did not want to let his country down.

1. Philo kept quiet, and followed Stephano to the main road.
2. Philo told Stephano that he was spent, and asked if he could be of service in some other way.

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